Somalis find home, hope in Minnesota lifestyle: Three of every five
immigrants from impoverished nation life here, far from clan warfare
(excerpt)

One issue is female circumcision, which critics call genital
mutilation. Somali custom requires some form of bloodletting near the
clitoris for a girl to reach womanhood. The practice is illegal in the
United States.

Now that it is illegal, no one will talk about it in public. But
some still want it done, Essa said. So many young mothers do
not want to circumcise their daughters, but there is an argument
between the new generation and the old generation.

Somalis intent on carrying out the practice will sometimes travel back
to Africa to have it done, or merely pinch the hood off an infant's
clitoris with their fingers, Essa said.

But most Somalis say they are quitting the practice; no cases have
been recorded in Minnesota.